Director of Security - FIFA World Cup 26™

TKO Group Holdings, Inc

About The Position

On Location is a global leader in premium experiential hospitality, offering ticketing, curated guest experiences, live event production and travel management across sports, entertainment, fashion and culture. On Location provides unrivaled access for corporate clients and fans looking for official, immersive experiences at marquee events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and more. An official partner and/or service provider to over 150 iconic rights holders, such as the IOC (the Milano Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games), FIFA, NFL, NCAA, UFC, WWE, and PGA of America, the company also owns and operates a number of its own unique experiences. On Location is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. Role Overview The Director of Security is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of all security operations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 across multiple host cities and countries. This role ensures the safety and security of players, officials, fans, staff, infrastructure, and assets while maintaining a seamless, welcoming tournament experience aligned with FIFA standards and local regulations. The position requires close collaboration with international, federal, state/provincial, and local law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, private security partners, emergency services, stadium operators, and government stakeholders.

Requirements

Minimum 15–20 years of senior security leadership experience.
Proven experience leading security for: Major international sporting events, Olympics, World Cups, or mega-events Large-scale public venues or national security operations Experience working across multiple jurisdictions and countries.
Bachelor’s degree required (Security Management, Criminal Justice, International Relations, or related field).
Strategic security planning and execution at scale Executive-level stakeholder engagement Crisis leadership and decision-making under pressure Strong understanding of: Counter-terrorism and intelligence coordination Crowd dynamics and public safety Event security technology and systems Exceptional communication and leadership skills Cultural awareness and diplomatic acumen

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Relevant certifications preferred (e.g., CPP, PSP, CISM, PMP, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

Strategic Security Leadership Develop and implement the overall tournament security strategy, policies, and operational plans.
Lead integrated security planning across venues, training sites, hotels, fan zones, transport hubs, and FIFA offices.
Ensure alignment with FIFA security requirements, host government commitments, and international best practices.
Command, Control & Coordination Establish and oversee Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and command-and-control structures.
Coordinate real-time security operations during tournament phases (pre-event, event-time, post-event).
Act as senior decision-maker for incident escalation and crisis response.
Stakeholder & Government Liaison Serve as the primary security liaison with: National and local law enforcement agencies Border control, customs, and immigration authorities Intelligence agencies Emergency management and medical services Support diplomatic and VIP protection coordination.
Risk, Threat & Intelligence Management Oversee threat assessments, risk analysis, and intelligence integration.
Implement counter-terrorism, crowd management, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection strategies.
Monitor evolving global, regional, and local threat environments.
Operational Security Domains Stadium and venue security Perimeter and access control Accreditation and credentialing integration Crowd management and public safety Transport and route security Team, referee, and VIP protection Fan zones and public viewing areas Cybersecurity and technology-enabled security systems
Vendor & Resource Management Select, contract, and manage private security providers and technology vendors.
Ensure staffing levels, training standards, and operational readiness across all locations.
Manage security budgets and cost controls.
Crisis & Emergency Management Lead crisis preparedness, tabletop exercises, and live simulations.
Direct response to incidents including terrorism threats, civil unrest, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and cyber incidents.
Ensure post-incident reviews and continuous improvement.
Compliance & Reporting Ensure compliance with local laws, labor regulations, and human rights standards.
Prepare executive-level reports, briefings, and risk updates for FIFA leadership and host authorities.